Daily Archives: March 25, 2015

Whether you are redesigning an area of your home on your own or working with an Interior Designer, there’s the temptation to jump in and get started right away, without doing much research or leg work. While the excitement to get a project going might be high, it’s important to take the time to carefully consider a few things first. Knowing what you want from the space plays a big role in coming up with the best possible design for it.

1. Use

One of the most important considerations when planning a room’s design is how that space will be used. If you’re designing a bathroom, for example, you want to think about whether it will be used by an adult couple, by a family with several children or by guests only.

2. Flow

How you arrange the furniture and other objects in the space determines the flow of it. Ideally, you’ll want a space that has a gentle flow, so that things don’t seem crowded. There should be room for people to move easily among the furniture, without having the space be too sparse.

3. Light

Lighting is incredibly important when it comes to designing a space. Depending on the room, you might have an ample amount of natural light to work with, or you might have to bring in sources of artificial light. Having too much light can be just as bad as having too little light. A room that is too bright can be very uncomfortable to be in, while it’s difficult to get things done in a dimly lit room. When considering the best lighting for a space, it’s a good idea to think back to how it will be used, too.

4. Furniture

Think of the furniture needs for the space before thinking about the smaller details. How you’ll use the space plays a part in the furniture that will work in it. For example, a decent amount of seating is usually a must in a living area, while a workspace is important in a study or office. Consider the size of the furniture and how it works in the room too. You don’t need to have only small pieces in a small space, but you want to be careful not to choose too many large pieces if the room itself is small.

5. Height

Height matters when selecting furniture and when deciding where to hang artwork or wall décor. It also matters when it comes to lighting. Usually, a good rule of thumb to follow is to position things at eye level, so that people don’t have to lean back or look up to see any artwork.

6. The Amount of Stuff

Bookcases that are overflowing, pillows that cover the entire sofa, and vignettes that look more cluttered than curated — it’s possible to put too much in a space. The size of the room and how you’ll use it will give you an idea of the amount of stuff that is appropriate. A few large items are usually better then many small, inexpensive items.

7. Practicality

How practical the space is connects back to how it will be used. If you are designing a study, for example, it will make sense to place the work area by an outlet, so that any devices can be plugged in. If the space needs a lot of storage, such as a kitchen or bathroom, that should be included in the design.

8. Balance and Harmony

Everything should work together in the space, so that there’s a feeling of cohesion and connectedness. Creating balance and harmony in the space doesn’t mean that everything needs to match perfectly. It does mean that the space should feel as though it belongs with the rest of the home.

9. Mood and Atmosphere

The mood of a room can influence how a person feels when they are in it. It’s worth thinking about how you want to feel in a space before you start making any design choices. For example, deciding that you want your bedroom to have a cozy atmosphere will influence the choices you make for its design with color, fabric, and finish selections.

10. Color

The colors you choose for a space can impact its mood and atmosphere, as well as its flow, lighting, and even its use. If your goal is to create a calming room, choosing a fire engine red wall color will work against you, for example. Your color palette should be one of the first things you decide on before starting a project.

Whether you are redoing your bedroom or want to breathe new life in your living space, Michelle Wenitsky Interior Design can help you design a space that you want to live in. Contact us today to get started on your next project.